Two of a Kind progress...

Dear all

Here is some progress on my two magpies.

This is 78 hours in total and the project is about 80% done. I am quite proud of how it is working out, although there is quite a bit still to go.

WIP - 11 April 2020

I also would not recommend using sewing thread to grid your fabric. I have started to remove it and it is proving to be a massive challenge in places where the cross stitch thread sewn through the thread. 

Until soon,

Lija

Not a lot of posting but a lot of stitching this month ...

Dear all

I have to admit I have not had a lot of posting / blogging time. This was partially to killing my phone (with which I take photos). An entire separate story ... and by the way in present day and age it is next to impossible to exist without a phone. Even during the entire country going into isolation. To top up my bank account is now blocked from online transactions (seeing as I failed the authentication by text).

However on a positive note ... a lot of stitching time. Here is my progress on the 'Two of a Kind' .. 50.5 hours in total since 7 March.

WIP - 30 March 2020

I have changed the fabric from 14 count to 18 count and I am loving it a lot more. I am half way there and you can even see the 2 magpies emerging.

WIP- 30 March 2020

I have not made progress on my other cross stitch projects ... but did do some silk ribbon embroidery which I will share in the next few days. 

Until soon,

Lija

I'm not fat by Margaret Sherry and some unexpected downsizing to stash

Dear all

'I'm not fat...' by Margaret Sherry is coming along well. I have now completed stitching the cat and am onto the cupcake with only the frame and backstitching to go.

WIP - 2 March 2020

I may take a break from this design to stitch a couple of magpies. 

Speaking of my magpies, this is the chart I am designing based on one of my paintings I gave you a sneak peak last time, after commencing stitching I have realised I hate 14 count fabric. Having not used 14 count in so long I forgot how with using 2 strands the white comes through the design. If a kit has empty space for a background I swap the fabric out for even weave and where there is full coverage I prefer 18 count (with 16 at a push). Interestingly I tried either 20 count and hated it as the fabric was less structured.

So I will be saying good bye to 5 packs of 14 count fabric. Not quite the kits or charts that I am tracking, but there is definitely space appearing in my cross stitch / knitting drawer.

Until soon

Lija

New starts, some downsizing, and resolution not to wash my finished projects

Dear all

I was digging in my stash on Friday night to find an easyish project to work on. Ideally not a large one. So the one that took my fancy was 'I'm not fat ...' by Margaret Sherry.

WIP - 16 February 2020

Years ago I bought two kits from Sherry Lewis Kits, this was when Margaret Sherry ventured out into a partnership with Cathy Lewis. However the business was subsequently dissolved. For years I have picked the projects out and put them away. But now it looks as if at least one will be completed. I have replaced 14 count with even weave fabric.

Whilst digging through my pile of stash I have decided to say good bye to 'Love' by Livia Rovaris and 'Let's do coffee' by Ursula Michael. Both are charts stitched in one colour that at this point in my life I don't see myself ever picking up. I still love Ursula's chart ... however I do hate backstitching so lets be realistic ... will I ever pick up a chart that predominantly uses backstitching? Both have joined the eBay pile. Hopefully someone will give them a much needed love. So here is to downsizing my stash list by further 2 projects. 

Having slightly improved my stash / projects in respect of my desire to minimise ... I have went and done the unspeakable ... I started a new project that is not on the list! I have designed my own cross stitch chart of two magpies based on original art work by me. Assembled the kit ... and am now stitching and manually adjusting the pattern. 

WIP - 14 February 2020

And speaking of assembling threads I have decided to rinse a few that were what I felt a little stale from storage ... and yikes the navy DMC 939 bled so much in the sink! It made me resolve not to wash my finished projects going forwards!

Until soon,

Lija

SALE, sheep #7.7 and Wipocalypse ...

Dear all,

I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last post.

It is also very hard to believe how much has changed since then. United Kingdom has voted to leave EU. Lets say since the result came out it has been a turbulent fall into the abyss for us.

Pound sterling is failing. The earrings I was planning on buying for £9 have magically increased overnight to £11! (and I am dreading to think how much other purchases I have planned cost). On a positive side for those of you outside of the UK you can now grab a bargain from our island. In addition (just to be a bit more tempting) we are having an up to 50% SALE over on our Etsy store (click).

We are trying to clear out some of our older stock ... so how about a birdhouse that you can stick your needles in while you stitch ...

50% Sale - now £6

or a linen bag to stash bits and bobs ...

50% Sale - now £6.50

and another idea for your needles, pins, buttons  ...

50% Sale - now £5

Talking about all the various changes in my life... I am finally no longer a trainee ... as of 1 July I have been promoted to a Tax Semi Senior. So after a week long depression following the referendum something good finally happened.

And now onto the stitching ...

Sheep SAL # 7.7

The next 100 stitches ...

700 stitches

Wipocalypse update ...

I haven't done one of these updates in a while, so in addition to Alice and Dodo by Tanya Bond (that you seen in the last post).

June 2016

Since then I have done some late night stitching on Christmas Candle.

July 2016

I am yet to finish page 5 and 6 ... and now page 7 it seems. I have started the additional page for a challenge I was participating in on Heaven and Earth Designs forum. Unfortunately I have not met it. The challenge was to stitch a full page in cross country method.

Half a year has gone by and I only met one out of my sixteen goals. Not a very inspiring progress, but on the other hand a few of the goals are getting quite close to being met.

Until soon,

Lija

Wipocalypse - post #1 and my new Etsy shop ...

Dear all,

Before I get into the whole Wipocalypse update I would like to mention my new Etsy shop opening:

Click here

Here you can find some of the handcrafted (including cross stitched) items that mum, my sister and I make and sell through craft fairs and display cases here in the North East of England. I thought it is time to expand to a new market.

The selling info on the few items you have seen me create last year (they are not the only items on Etsy): 

Makeup bag. £9.99. Coming soon to Etsy.

Makeup bag. £9.99. Sold.

Makeup bag. £9.99. Available on Etsy.

Makeup bag. £9.99. Available on Etsy.

Biscornu. £5.00. Available on Etsy.

Biscornu. £5.00. Available on Etsy.

Biscornu. £8.00. Available on Etsy.

Biscornu. £8.00. Sold.

Hope you check my new shop out, and let me know what you think of it. There are also some handmade little angels, teaspoon ladies, and birds that I haven't shared the photos of here that my mum made. I am also working on adding more and more items. 

ILiNidesigns Etsy shop

Onto Wipocalypse ...

If you want to join in this SAL in 2014 click on:

This month I am meant to introduce myself, my projects, and any goals that I have for this year.

I think I might skip the intro and refer you back to the last years post:

Welcome to Stitching in Crosses and More ...

it was for the blog party and is still pretty accurate. Although I am now a member of 2 reading groups, rather than one, participated in another 2 exhibitions, graduated from Newcastle University, and now opened an Etsy shop (as can be seen from the start of the post).

Speaking of which if you would like to know more about it (although unfortunately the deadline for sign up has passed this year) click on:

Projects/Goals

Ongoing:

1) Good Heavens by Margaret Sherry [Goal: Complete]

This used to be a UFO till recently, so I am very proud for working on it in December.

December 2013

2) Christmas Candle - HAED [Goal: Complete another 5 3 pages]

So far 0/5 3 (goal) and 3/36 (total)

I decided to keep the same goal that I did not manage to meet last year. Lets hope I will be better this year.

December 2013

January 2014

January 2014 - closeup

3) Yiota's Xstitch: Field of Poppies [Goal: Complete]
Based on Van Gogh's painting

December 2013

January 2014

4) 'Picture of elegance'. [Goal: Complete]

Sara Moon from The World of Cross Stitching issue 181. This is my mum's birthday present from almost a year ago ... oh dear I am very late.

December 2013

5) Literate Dragon - HAED [Goal: complete the full SAL]

So far 0/4. 

December 2013

UFOs:

6) Xmas Chums [Goal: Complete by next Christmas ... as if]

I have begun it as a present for christmas 2 3 4 summers ago ... managed to stitch the entire face before realising I have stitched it 10 squares lower than the centre. How silly! I then started unpicking and got up to:

June 2012

7)  'Tending the Flock' [Goal: Pick up and work on even if just a little]

from Cherished Teddies and Friends. A matching pillow hopefully to one in my earlier  prehistoric posts.

Before 2012

8) Making Lickle Wishes [Goal: turn to a WIP]

April 2012

9) Cabin Fever by Dimensions (Gold Collection) [Goal: turn into a WIP]

September 2012

10) John Clayton: Venice [Goal: complete]

December 2012

New Starts:

As part of the Stitch from Stash initiative I will be starting from my huge stash list and the first up is 'Lean on Me'. My january start. 

11) JR01 Lean on Me by Judy Rossouw (anchor) [Goal: complete]

January 2014

Obviously I will be starting some more wips including another HAED (after all I have a new frame - a Christmas gift). 

And some giveaways to check out:

• Blogoversary Giveaway @ Sarah in Stitches:

Click here to enter.

• A Chart Giveaway of your choice @ Stitchers Anon

Click here to enter.

Until soon,

 

Wipocalypse - post #8

Dear all,

I think I am progressing with my stitching rather well ... though blogging is not as high time spent as I would have hoped. I have just did 11 days of work in a row, so felt a little tired to comment, post, and respond in the evenings. A few days off for the bank holiday weekend now ... but it will be full of business unsurprisingly.

I am taking part in a craft fair at Snods Edge:

So if you live in the North East do come along. 

The biscornus are all made up and ready to be sold, amongst all other different beauties. I'll share the pictures in the next few days (need to get back to packing for the event). After all you are here for my Wipocalypse update:

'Boats':

July 2013

August 2013

About half way there.

And some finishes for this month that you have already seen:

You see a very productive ... stitching wise month ... and not just small finishes if you count the African lady that took me ages to backstitch.

Till soon with the promised pictures,

                                            
Aw, and by the way:

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TUSAL - post 5, some exciting news, and check out a giveaway ...

Well, I have promised myself to stay away from the blog world in view of my exams. But I could not resist. So this evening after writing a 3 hour Business Taxation exam I feel I can be a little bit distracted from my Law revision.

Okay 1st up is a week and a half late TUSAL post.

May in a jar ...

May 2013 with the rest of 2013 behind it ...

2013 after the may joined it

And you don't want to see my lonely jar/glass/container now that its tipped out. All empty.

Next up some exciting news.

Fabric!!!

Aren't they/it gorgeous?!?! I just couldn't wait to share them. I got some hand dyed fabrics. Every time I see hand dyed fabrics on people's blogs I get extremely jealous. Well these beauties have all came out of raided boxes of fabrics, leftovers, and stolen from kits (I am changing the count for one of the projects), and then were all hand dyed by my lovely mum (who is into dyeing at this moment - lucky me). Which in turn means I can pick one (excluding the bookmark obviously) for the Margaret Sherry SAL of puppies. Hope it is not yellow (that is the evil count 22). And attempt to catch up with all the ladies already stitching. But before then all the rest of exams, maybe a few more individual photos with better light (and I'll tell you what mum used to dye them too). One of those don't do try it at home.

Now onto more news ... my handmade bags and accessories business. Check out some popular updates from ILiNi designs: 

Work in Progress

handmade silk scarf with tulips

For ILiNi designs website click on the:

handmade bags and accessories

And to like us on Facebook (and to get all the exciting updates) click:

handmade bags and accessories updates

And finally (if you not had enough of me yet). There is an exciting giveaway:

over at  Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

It is so nice to finish a post on a happy note (after all don't want you all to disappear without finishing reading mine first). But now you can go, do let Nancy know that I sent you.

Till soon I hope, but not too soon so that I get a little chance to revise,